Customize Windows Vista Start Menu

Everyone is familiar with the Start Menu in Windows Vista as it basically the launch pad to any program or utility that you want to run. The Start Menu can be customized to display the programs, icons and shortcuts that are most useful to the user. Below are the instructions for customizing the Start Menu to your liking!

Pin a Program Icon to Start Menu
If you have a program that you use frequently you can pin it (permanently place) to the Start Menu for easier access. Icons that you pin to the Start Menu appear on the left side of the menu above the line.

To pin a program to the Start Menu right-click on the icon for the program and select Pin to Start Menu

To remove a pinned program from the Start Menu right-click on the icon and select Unpin from Start Menu

You can adjust the order of the pinned programs by dragging them to a new location

Remove a Program Icon from the Start Menu
If there a program on the Start Menu that you donít use often or at all, you can remove from the Start Menu to free up space and make it less cluttered.
To remove a program icon from the Start Menu, right-click on the icon and select Remove from this list

Adjust Number of Shortcuts Displayed
The programs that you use the most frequently are automatically added to the Start Menu by the operating system. You can adjust the number of program shortcuts that are displayed on the Start menu to your liking.

Click on the Start Menu then Control Panel

Select Appearance and Personalization then click Taskbar and Start Menu

Select Start Menu tab and then select Customize

In the dialog box, under Start menu size, select number of recent programs to display, click on OK when finished

Modify Right Pane of Start Menu
The right side of the Start Menu can be customized to display icons, menus and programs of your choice.

Click on the Start Menu then Control Panel

Select Appearance and Personalization then click Taskbar and Start Menu

Select Start Menu tab and then select Customize

Select the programs, links and icons that you want to display in the Start Menu. Click on OK when finished